fight off

phrasal verb

fought off; fighting off; fights off
: to defend oneself against (someone or something) by fighting or struggling : to avoid being harmed or overcome by (someone or something) by fighting or struggling
They fought off the attack/attackers.
I'm trying to fight off a cold.

Examples of fight off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Most people who are infected with the fungus won’t experience symptoms, and their bodies will fight off the infection naturally. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025 Her clients needed more help, products that have medical-grade ingredients to fight off acne, rosacea and aging, among other skin issues—with sustainable results. Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 Some argue that chronic immune conditions that plague modern humans stem in part from our tendency to avoid beneficial germs that would train the immune system to fight off pathogens. Matt Fuchs, Time, 21 Apr. 2025 Natalie and a real-estate agent named Dawn (Danielle Brooks), in search of the missing Henry, make their way to the Overworld, too, and the four team up with Steve in a painfully generic adventure to fight off monsters, find another Crystal, save the Overworld (and Dennis), and get back home. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fight off

Cite this Entry

“Fight off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fight%20off. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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